Former high school star and NFL running back Benjamin Gay Died in a traffic accident Colorado in late July.
He was 44 years old.
A native of Houston, Gay starred as a football player at Texas Spring High School and was named a USA Today All-American in 1997.
He initially signed with Baylor University to play college football, but ultimately played at Garden City Community College in Kansas in 1999, rushing for 1,442 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Gay spent one season in Garden City, worked as a bouncer and then briefly joined the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League in 2000. According to the Plain Dealer.
Gay eventually returned to the United States after a brief preseason stint in the CFL and signed with the Browns in the summer of 2001.
He had 51 carries for 172 yards and one touchdown, with his biggest game of the season coming in Week 9 against the Ray Lewis-led Ravens.
In that game against the defending Super Bowl champions, Gay rushed 18 times for 51 yards, including the NFL’s only touchdown.
He also recorded four receptions and three tackles during the season before being released prior to the 2002 season.
He then signed with the Colts but was waived during the preseason.
According to an online obituaryAfter his football career ended, Gay began his career as a welder and continued to work in that field until his death.
Gay is survived by his wife of 12 years, Margarita, his son Damian Ortega, and daughters Julie Ortega and Brianna Morales.
